EVERETT – Two teams entered Friday night’s game at Goddard Stadium alive and kicking in the Western Conference South Division.
And kicking is exactly what this contest came down to as Everett (4-2 in league, 4-2 overall) pulled off a 21-20 overtime win to spoil homecoming for Kamiak (2-4, 2-4).
Alex Schaller’s PAT was the difference as the Seagulls prevailed in a game that left both head coaches breathless afterward.
“It was just up-and-down, a very emotional game,” Everett coach Will Soren said.
“I thought it was just an outstanding high school football game,” Kamiak coach Dan Mack said.
Schaller had missed a 30-yard game-winning field goal attempt as time expired in regulation. But having made both his extra-point tries during the game, the sophomore was confident going for his third.
“The first thing I did was start praying to God,” Schaller said. “Then I just counted on every single person on the PAT team. I just tried to clear my mind and do the best I could.” Soren never doubted for a second.
“We had faith in Alex and there was no hesitation at all to put him back in there in overtime and try to win the game,” he said.
The winning kick came on the heels of a 1-yard touchdown by Andrew Skorney. The run was set up by a 24-yard fade pass on the first play from Bryce Levin to Arrow Mestas just in front of the left corner of the end zone.
Previously, the Knights started off the extra period with Josh Reed’s third touchdown of the game, a 12-yarder in which the 5-8, 175-pound senior dodged a tackler at the 8-yard-line and steamrolled into the end zone up the left hash. But Garrett Reitan missed the PAT, giving added life to the Seagulls.
Reed’s first touchdown was a 30-yarder in the second half to put Kamiak up 7-0, after a muffed punt attempt by Everett left the ball on the Seagull 30-yard-line. (Reed finished with 167 yards on 30 carries.) Everett immediately answered with a 67-yard touchdown by Skorney, who finished with 125 yards on 12 carries.
A nine-minute on Kamiak’s first possession of the second half was capped by a Reed 24-yard touchdown right up the heart of the Everett defense.
On the ensuing possession, Everett countered with a 13-yard perfect fade to the right corner of the end zone from Levin to Mestas to tie it at 14.
With less than four minutes left, Alex Wertheimer sacked Kamiak quarterback Clayton Phillips, jarring the ball loose. Kenny Hudson pounced on it for a the fumble recovery. This set up Everett’s final drive of regulation.
A Skorney draw on fourth-and-inches with 25 seconds to go moved the ball to the 16. Three plays later, Schaller attempted the field goal.
Kamiak is trying to salvage a season in which it was predicted to finish among the division leaders. But a multitude of injuries (six key players), including wide receiver Ben Iddins (broken fibula) has left the Knights reeling.
Still, Mack liked what he saw out of this bunch and is hopeful about remainder of the campaign.
“We got better tonight, as a team,” he said. “We’re improving.” Everett plays host to Mountlake Terrace next week while Kamiak is at Shorewood.
At Goddard Stadium
Everett07077-21
Kamiak07706-20
Kamiak-Reed 30 run (Reitan kick)
Everett-Skorney 67 run (Schaller kick)
Kamiak-Reed 24 run (Reitan kick)
Everett-Mestas 13 pass from Levin (Schaller kick)
Kamiak-Reed 12 run (kick failed)
Everett-Skorney 1 run (Schaller kick)
Records-Everett 4-2 in division and overall. Kamiak 2-4, 2-4.
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